3 April 2024, Manila, Philippines – the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in the Philippines was established in 2016 through a cooperation agreement between UNITAR and the University of the Philippines (UP) and approved by the UP Board of Regents.

CIFAL Philippines offers capacity-building activities and researches the interconnected themes of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development specifically on migration, gender equality and inclusion.

Through a variety of training activities implemented in 2023, CIFAL Philippines reached 5,062 beneficiaries with 60% coming from local governments and 21% from government institutions at the national level. The Centre addressed key topics and conducted the following activities:

• Professional Course on Water Governance (PCWG)
• Migration, Ageing and the Future of Care Forum
• Leading Safe Spaces: The Role of Good Governance in Ending Violence Against Women Forum
• Learning Needs Assessment for the Children of Migrants and their Caregivers 
• Enhancing Migration Governance through Partnerships
• Pride without Borders – Celebrating the Queer Filipino Migrant
• Youth Got the Power: Showcasing Youth Action Towards SDGs

The CIFAL Centre also conducts activities that foster Country-to-Country knowledge exchange such as the “Kenya – Philippines Exchange to Enhance Migration Strategies”. CIFAL Philippines in close collaboration with the Secretary for Diaspora Affairs of Kenya seek to exchange expertise in managing migration issues and explore joint efforts in enhancing migration in an academic setting. The collaboration will also seek to support universities in Kenya to strengthen their capacity-building initiatives.

Making a positive impact on the lives of the people and communities lies at the very heart of UP and CIFAL Philippines. The Centre will never waver in its commitment to training, research, and the pursuit of knowledge production. Dr. Michelle Palumbarit, Director of CIFAL Philippines.

CIFAL Philippines highlights the key role Universities have in promoting knowledge exchange, education, and partnerships in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. I congratulate CIFAL Philippines and wish them continued success in the work ahead. Mr. Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of UNITAR.